Malaysia PM Najib rapped for bringing 1MDB-linked stepson on China trip

The US Justice Department accused Riza Aziz of using siphoned millions from state fund 1MDB to buy luxury real estate and fund his film production company

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Najib Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz (circled red) exits the delegation’s official plane after it arrived in Beijing on Monday. Pictured below him are his mother Rosmah Mansor and Najib. Photo: Twitter

Published: 6:49pm, 1 Nov 2016Updated: 10:59pm, 1 Nov 2016

Malaysia’s opposition and Twitterati have lashed Prime Minister Najib Razak after images showed he was accompanied on an official trip to China by his stepson, who US authorities have implicated in a massive embezzlement scam.

In images on Twitter, Riza Aziz is seen emerging along with Najib from his delegation’s official plane after it arrived in Beijing on Monday.

The US Justice Department said in lawsuits filed in July that more than $200 million was funnelled to Riza from a state investment fund that Najib founded called 1MDB.

1MDB is now the subject of investigations in several countries across the globe amid allegations that Najib, his relatives, and associates plundered billions from it.

The Justice Department, which seeks to recover more than $1 billion in property and assets it says were purchased using stolen 1MDB money, said Riza used the siphoned millions to buy luxury real estate and fund his film production company, Red Granite Pictures.

The diverted funds were used specifically to bankroll the Hollywood film The Wolf of Wall Street , directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, who has also cooperated with investigators.

Riza Aziz and cast members Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill and producer Joey McFarland at the UK premiere of The Wolf of Wall Street. File photo: Reuters

“Not only do we have to bear (the cost) of the expensive jet, but now he (Najib) is bringing his stepson, whom the whole world is looking for in relation to 1MDB monies,” opposition lawmaker Rafizi Ramli was quoted as saying in parliament.

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